Cross Country Missions

For anyone reading this that doesn't know me, my name is Raymond Varner and I have 3 big passions, God, Running, and Missions. I am the director of a small organization called Cross Country Missions where I host races (Yeti Set Run is coming up in January) to raise money for mission work. I also run... ALOT.

I started this blog to record my efforts to raise money for missions as I trained for a 100 mile race in 2012. As part of my training for the 100 mile race I am running in the Run For the Ranch Marathon on Sunday the 18th. If anyone feels led to donate money, 100% of this money is going to be put towards the 2011-2012 mission of Joplin Relief!! The same thing applies for the Yeti Set Run races in January.

The Goal is to raise $5,000 for Joplin Relief by the end of 2012!!!

If you feel led to donate you can mail $$ to:
Cross Country Missions
1315 East Thoman Street
Springfield Mo 65803

OR use paypal at:
crosscountrymissions.org

Too Long

It has been far too long since my last blog entry. Over this time I have completed some very successful 20 and 10 mile training runs around Springfield. Each time choosing a different route even though before I started the run I had planned on running a certain route, I ended up changing that route with in the first few miles of the run. In the middle of November at about 12am I went out for a 20 mile run with nothing but my shoes, shorts and a water pack. It was beautiful weather and I wasn't hindered by any traffic due to every normal person being in bed. However, my next couple 20 milers were a bit more chilly. I ran along I-44 for awhile and that was a super chilly run! I couldn't find my running beanie so I took the only thing I could find (one of those knitted beanies with the strings that have fluff balls on the ends). At first the strings were under my pack so they weren't bouncing around but eventually they worked their way loose and I ended up tying them around my chin.

I went on a road trip with my amazing girlfriend to Columbia where we dressed up as Hillbillies for the XCX costume mud run at Truck Stop Missouri.


I ran the Springfield Turkey Trot 5k hoping to get in the 16's but I got way to excited at the start and went out at a 5 minute mile and suffered in the end. I didn't even get a PR on this run. I did place 24th out of about 8,000 people.

Idle Hands...

When I sit in front of the computer at work I always find my self searching the web for new and exciting races. When I started this blog I said I was beginning my training for the Ozark Trail 100 mile endurance run, however, after some recent information regarding this course I have decided against participating in this event (at least for my first 100 miler, maybe in the future I will give it a try).

So I began my search for a new 100 mile race that was around the same time that i could run in its place. I have been extremely satisfied with the Pumpkin Holler 100 in OK, though they have not set a specific date yet. This is my number one pick at the moment! BUT... my hands have been moving on the keyboard way too much and I have been searching down more and more races i want to do as well as thinking about how I would like to host an ultra-marathon in honor of Forrest Gump! haha.

24 Hours the Hardway

Pigtails Challenge

Leadville 100

Boulder 100

Arkansas Traveler

Because a lot of these are around the same time of the month, I am thinking that every year I will go try one. Essential go on a 100 mile run test drive of the courses and after i try out a few I can go back and do the ones I like again and again.

Bass Pro Conservation Marathon

November 6th 2011

Before the Race
For the first time all season I went to bed at a reasonable time.. and it felt very weird, so I decided to wake up a little early to help offset the weird feeling. The first alarm set on my phone went off at 4:00am followed soon after by the digital clock alarm I set for a back, and then third back alarm I set on my watch started going off. All three with different sounds... all three.. Very annoying. I shut off each of the alarms and pulled myself out of bed to begin my usual race morning rituals (bathroom, race outfit, double tie shoes, make sure time chip is affixed securely, bathroom). As I got into my truck at 4:40am my amazing girlfriend called me!

Normally I like to get to a race around 30 minutes before the race start, however, I really wanted to make sure I didn't have to hassle with parking, so I got there a little more than 2 hours early. Well, I definitely did not have to hassle.. because the only other people there when I arrived were the people in charge of the race. So I kicked back and chatted with Alexis on the phone waiting for the race to come.

RACE
The announcer called for the competitive runners to go ahead and line up, so I made my way to the start. The race started and I darted out a little too quick (I'm so used to racing 5ks) I tried to slow my pace to a more appropriate marathon pace, but I still went out way too fast. I ran the first mile in 6 minutes.. I was aiming for 7:15. I knew this would happen and I thought I had adjusted my pace accordingly.. but apparently even by the 3 mile I wasn't into my set pace, because i crossed the 3 mile 18:48... and again around 6 miles I was around 40 minutes. I have been warned time and time again about going out slow, and I knew I needed to go out slower than what I felt comfortable with, but for some reason i just couldn't get my body to slow down. By mile 9 (61 minutes)I was getting closer to the appropriate pace.

Around mile 5 I turned my ankle pretty badly but kept on going and it worked itself out fine. Around mile 8 I started to get very hungry! I greatly desired to sink my teeth into a big fat juicy burger! Unfortunately all I had to indulge my appetite with were sport beans and I grabbed a packet every time the aid station had one! I forget where I was but it was within the first 9 miles that I was startled by someone loudly shouting my name! My physiology professor was out in his front yard cheering me on! I was going to tell him that when he saw Brad he needed to tell him to catch up to me (but I didn't think to say it soon enough).

I hit a perfect half marathon time that was right on track to qualify me for Boston. 1.29.. The only problem was I could already feel the fatigue hitting me. So I put it in my head that I would run the race 2 miles at a time, I would forget about the rest of the race and focus on 2 miles at a time(every two miles was an aid station). So I ran 2 miles, walked a little bit so that I could actually drink the water or powerade (unlike the past aid stations were one resulted in me missing the cup completely and knocking it out of the volunteers hand, or splashing the water at my face which in return got about 9/10ths of the water on me and not in my mouth) and then started back up with the running.

As I approached mile 20 I became a little nervous (last and first marathon I ran, Mile 20 consisted of me having an entire leg cramp up suddenly sending my face first into the asphalt. Then walking, running, jogging the best i could for the last 6 miles, with muscle cramps every time i tried to run/jog). Mile 20 passed just fine, although my fatigue was getting worse and my butt was on the verge of cramping. Every now and then I would feel great and was able to move at a good pace, still within an attainable BQ (Boston qualifier).

I was still going fairly well till I reached mile 23! My foot and hamstring cramped and I ended up walking for probably 3/4ths of a mile. I am extremely ashamed of this!!! When I hit Mile 24 I grabbed an orange and then got my feet moving (slowly.. but moving). If I hadn't walked I probably would have been pretty close to a BQ. As I rounded the last corner I sprinted (probably not an actual sprint, but it felt like one to me).

I finished 4th in my age group (1st was only 6 minutes ahead of me! that is less than a mile!! Imagine if I hadn't walked that "less than a mile"... URG.) 3rd place was 3 minutes ahead of me. I placed 25th overall for the whole marathon with a time of 3.26.33 (16 minutes slower than my goal) So now it is time to start training for the Run for the Ranch Marathon and kick some butt!!!

MSU & Hustle!!

OCTOBER 29th

It was a slightly chilly morning as I waited outside the MSU student union at 6:30am. The MSU Homecoming 5k started at 7am but no one had any idea where the start line actually was. haha. The campus health center (one of my current jobs) was the main host for this race. When the race started at 7am it was still dark outside and a gentleman in bright yellow and a blinking red light on a bike led the race. I took off fast and tried to get into a good rhythm. I decided to wear gloves for this race (good choice).

As the race continued I was very glad I was in lead following the bike because I could not understand where I needed to turn at All! lol. At one point I passed a spot where someone cheered me on by name but I didn't see who it was. To be honest, I didn't feel like I was running very fast. But as I approached the finish line (lapping at least 20 people) the clock was reading low 17s! I don't know if they got my legitimate time or not because they came up and asked me if I timed myself and what I had got. I looked at my watch that I hit a little bit after finishing and took off one second. But from what I remember when I looked at the race clock it read faster than what I had on my watch by a few seconds... Regardless of all this, I ended up getting 17:13. Still getting faster every race this season.
I jogged over to one of my bosses/co-workers and asked if there were prizes and told them I had to leave to go run another 5k race. I won $75 and a big Trophy =)

I jogged to my truck and headed to Jordan Valley park to get ready for the Halloween Hustle 5k.. a costume race! All of my costume stuff is at my parents house but I did have a black mullet wig, white tutu, and a red cape.. sooo.... I put that on! The race course seemed fairly easy! But i stopped seeing arrows on the concrete eventually and turned around. Ended up getting lost and was followed by about 5 other runners =$ We tacked on about an extra half mile or so probably. By the time I got back to the right spot the 1st place person was starting on the second lap so I quickly jetted in front of him and continued on for the second lap. I ended up finishing first again.. however.. my time wasn't too good.

They handed out all of the awards.. but never called anything for the first place finisher. So I went up there and asked them if overall winner got anything and they said no... But they happened to have an extra gold medal so I still got a medal.. But that is just jank.. They medal 3 deep in age categories.. but didn't have anything for the overall winner.. WOW..
Oh well. It's all about having a good time, staying in shape, and praising the LORD!

Dogwood Canyon 25k 10/23

DOGWOOD CANYON 25k

As my alarm went off at 6:20am I remembered the awesome evening I had just had, ending roughly 4 hours earlier. Everyone tells me I should get more sleep before my races, this is true, and I'm sure I would have much faster times if I did get some decent sleep. But as I lay there thinking about my adventures, I would have been okay getting dead last if it meant spending time with that special someone! =)

Well... anyone who knows me and my running knows that the next part of my morning consisted of several bathroom visits, even when I'm not nervous it seems to hit me good. Plus, I need to make sure its all gone so I don't have issues during the race. None so far in my racing career, unfortunately not the same for training runs! haha.

God could not have blessed us with a more beautiful race day! It wasn't even chilly out. I could stand there in my shorts and race top with no worries, no bundling up till the last few seconds. A-Mazing! As I waited for the race to start I lined up in the front of the pack and danced it out to some "Who Let the Dogs Out".


The race horn went off and I went out in the lead (I knew I would not finish first in this race and I wouldn't be lead for very long, however, there was someone taking pictures and I figured I might as well try and get a good shot of me in the lead). lol. It wasn't long before Rono (the Kenyan) was along side of me, and for awhile I ran next to him. At most of the creek crossings I fell back a little and tried to find the lowest part possible to run through. The last time I ran the race I just went straight through the middle and actually ended up waist deep at one point, but not this year! I do enjoy running through these creeks, however, I wish they were at the end of the race... because when you get your shoes soaked in the first 3 miles and then have to run another 12.5... your feet suffer quite a bit.

As the race continued Matt (a 15k racer) joined us and we ran together until it reached a point where he had to go a different way, eventually wining the 15k race. It was at this point that Rono disappeared from my sights for the rest of the race. I don't know if it was just me... but the hills seemed much much steeper this year (the course was different).

When I reached the first aid station I splashed a little bit of water into my mouth and grabbed a a few sport beans. As the race progressed the 2nd place finisher slowly passed me, and eventually 3rd place caught up to me. I enjoyed running with him. We chatted it up a bit and I used him to keep me going strong! We eventually reached the part in the course where its basically a short cliff drop and then a quick climb up a 75 degree angle maybe. hahaha. I just a bit confused on where to go.. i tried to go towards the camera guy and was supposed to go away from him. I guess he made me nervous, just kiddin.

Eventually, the 3rd place finisher pulled away from me pretty dramatically (Honestly, I can not figure out what happened. It wasn't a gradual distancing, he straight left) At the second aid station I took a quick sip of water. Every time I reached a clearing where I was out of the woods I would look all around me and see God's wonderful creation! The sun was shining with a magnificent beauty over the gorgeous Ozark Mountain hills full of the amazing fall colors as far as I could see! I debated stopping so I could take it all in longer! Every now and then I would say a little prayer of thanks, or prayer for someone. And I had a song stuck in my head, "Our God" by Chris Tomlin. Thanks to last night from Lexi singing it to herself as we made our way through the haunted corn maze and haunted house. haha <3

The first place 50k runner slowly caught up to me... he wasn't stopping on a single hill. He pushed through every single one of them! Amazing!! The 4th place 25k finisher caught up to me and we ran together till we reached the 3rd aid station. According to the race details, there would be an aid station every 5 miles.. so as soon as I saw aid station 3 I kicked it into high gear! Passed 4th place who stopped at the station. I put my stride on and picked up the pace. I kept pushing and pushing... but the finish never came, eventually I came up on a turn where my parents were. A lady said it was a hard push up this hill, level out, and then all down hill from there.. But the top of the hill didn't come for a long time.. once it did come.. there was another aid station, by this point the 4th place guy passed me again. (I had exhausted basically all my fuel... way too early).

I ended up finishing in 2.09, approximately 4 minutes slower than my first time 2 years ago. I Finished 5th overall this year, and 7th overall last year. I placed 1st in my age group. The course was much tougher this year, aaaand I got little sleep so I am fairly happy with my time, especially when I look at the 1st place finisher for both years(same person) he ran about 20 minutes slower than the other time I ran. I got an awesome plaque and nice finishers fleece.




After the race I spent an awesome day with Alexis. Included a random awesome dance party!!!

Skeleton Scramble 10/22

Potter's House Skeleton Scramble 5k
Costume Extravaganza!



I hosted a fun costume race to benefit Potter's House on October 22nd at 8am. My plan was to wake up at 5am and head over to campus to chalk out the course, hang up some arrows and signs and the finish/start line banner. However, as I woke up that morning and looked at my phone... it read 7:03... My eyes jumped out of my head and I said a few words I shouldn't have as I jumped out of bed and grabbed the first items of clothing I could find (pair of jeans and a hoodie.. not even a shirt) I had told my volunteers to get there at 7am so I could show them where to stand.
I called my main helper Sarah and told her I overslept and she said non of the volunteers were even there yet. I got to Potter's House at 7:15 and frantically looked for the chalk. I quickly sprinted the course chalking it and got back at 7:30ish. (Luckily I designed a 1.5 mile loop around campus) I got back and dispersed the volunteers and welcomed our awesome runners with their costumes.


Everything went on without a hitch, and despite the short amount of time available to advertise and no tshirts... we still had 17 people show up, raising about $170 for the Potter's House non-profit Christian coffee house. Almost everyone got one of the prizes (coffee cups full of coupons and merch). Good fun good fun. I look forward to planning it next year with awesome shirts and more time to advertise!